San Salvatore in Lauro

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San Salvatore in Lauro
English name:	Holy Saviour at the Laurels
Dedication:
Denomination:	Roman Catholic
Built:	12th century, rebuilt in 17th and 18th century
Architect(s):	Ottaviano Mascherino, Ludovico Rusconi Sassi
Artists:	Pietro da Cortona, Francesco Salviati, Isaia of Pisa
Contact data
Address:	15 Piazza San Salvatore in Lauro 00186 Roma
Phone:	06-68.75.187

San Salvatore in Lauro is a church dedicated to our Saviour.

[edit] History

The first church was built in the 12th century. It was dedicated to our Saviour, and most likely called "in lauro" because of a nearby garden.

It was rebuilt c. 1450 by Cardinal Latino Orsini.

In 1669, it became the seat of the Confraternity of the Piceni, traditionally employed as papal soldiers and tax-collectors.

After it had been damaged by fire, the church was completely rebuilt in the 18th century by the architects Ottaviano Mascherino and Sassi.

The complex used to be a monastery, known as St George's, of the Canons Regular of the Lateran.

The church used to be a titular church from 1587 until 1670. Pope Benedict XVI reestablished it as a deaconry in 2007. The current cardinal deacon is Angelo Comastri.

[edit] Exterior

The façade was rebuilt 1857-1862. The main feature is the sculpture of the Madonna of Loreto, riding through the sky on the Holy House of Nazareth.

A 15th century cloister, among the finest Renaissance cloisters at Rome, can be entered through the sacristy (please ask the custodian) or directly from the street. It was built c. 1450 on orders from Cardinal Orsini. Beyond the cloister is a peaceful courtyard with some fine sculptures, including one of St Peter being set free from prison, placed over the doorway that you enter through; it was originally in the 12th century church at the site. The cloisters and refectory are at times used for art exhibitions.

The bell-tower, designed by Nicola Salvi, was added in the 18th century.

[edit] Interior

By the high altar, which is from 1792, there is a reproduction of the venerated image of the Madonna of Loreto, in a gloria of angels and clouds. It is older than the altar, and was crowned by the Vatican Chapter in 1644.

The paintings in the vault are attributed to Salvieti or his pupils. Among the subject depicted are the Creation of Woman and the Original Sin. In the fourth chapel on the right is a Nativity by Pietro da Cortona.

The crucifix on the left arm of the transept is a copy of 12th century one venerated at Sirolo. Sirolo is close to Loreta, and it is said that "Whoever goes to Loreto and not to Sirolo, has seen the Mother but not the Son". On the walls of the transepts are two Baroque monuments to cardinals.

If you ask the custodian, you can see the sacristy and refectory. In the refectory is a fresco by Francesco Salviati, painted in 1550, of the Wedding Feast of Cana, and the tomb of Pope Eugenius IV (1431-1447), which was made by Isaia of Pisa between 1450 and 1455, and moved here when the old Basilica of St Peter was demolished. Picture of the tomb. [1]